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Harshal Jani
Harshal Jani

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How to Leverage IoT for Disaster Management?

“Technology is a powerful tool just like a magic wand”.

Basically in a tragedy, tech-stacks serve as a lifeline to millions of users all over the world. Now let’s say, you are far away from home and there is a short-circuit. Due to this, the fire broke-out while you are enjoying, having fun at your own place. As soon as you reach home, the sight of your place devastates you as you think about the security and management systems.
But can you imagine how the situation would be if a sensor were fitted at your home, and you could know about it right away?

Wouldn’t it be something great!
And so the use of IoT in Disaster Management has revamped numerous industries. As the context speaks, the world grapples with both natural and man-made disasters. Therefore, there is an urgent need for effective disaster management strategies to handle such situations. More so, the IoT Technology has proved to be an amazing promising tool, which brings a ray of hope to empower all the efforts amidst the crisis.

Let’s delve into exploring more about the involvement of the Internet of Things in Catastrophe management!

How is IoT applicable in Disaster Management?

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A beautiful and live example that can make you understand the promising features that IoT can provide. Let’s get a quick flashback of a disastrous scene. Do you remember the worst flooding that had happened in the United States on August 25, 2017? It was considered that Hurricane Harvey belonged to the category 4 Hurricane that made landfall in Texas displacing 100,00 people from their homes.

Believe me or not! IoT devices were a valuable tool in the response to Hurricane Harvey else the circumstances have been a complete disaster. Therefore, it is believed that as IoT software development as a technology continues to develop, it will play an even greater role in disaster management in the future.

Don’t you agree with me?
Technology has been playing a pivotal role in transforming our lives. We can still manage it, even though it can’t be stopped. So as IoT, Artificial Intelligence is another tool which has an intention of facilitating, by redefining lives. As AI inherits the capabilities of data-analysis, automation and decision making. It endures the capability of helping in Disaster management.

Before we start observing how IoT is applicable in Disaster Management, let’s discuss What really IoT is?

As the name calls itself, IoT is a step of linking physical objects, a network of tangible web which are armed with detectors, software and connectivity capabilities. Ever wondered what is the key reason behind IoT tech to be used in Disaster Management? It’s the features of IoT which helps it to act seamlessly in all situations even in a complex ecosystem.

There are certain ways to state its application.
1. Alert Systems - IoT uses real-time data necessary for detecting disasters like earthquakes and floods. This continuous monitoring also includes detecting the temperature of the atmosphere, humidity, water level, air quality and the seismic waves.

2. Remote Sensing Systems - IoT sensors monitor dangerous buildings, dams, bridges, and infrastructures in disaster-prone areas. This leads to informed decisions and help in evacuation.

3. Environmental Surveillance - IoT plays an important role while monitoring the atmospheric conditions, weather-pattern and other environmental factors. As you know there are different phases of matter, meanwhile the IoT detects all the balance or imbalance phases. It may be humidity, temperature, air-pressure, condensation, precipitation and other profiles of nature.

4. Supply Chain Management - IoT devices are installed to track the movement of supply-carrying vehicles and ensure that the goods reach their destination properly. This prevents the loss or misuse of supplies.
Not only in India but also in Japan and the United States, the governments are keenly using the help of IoT for recognizing all the critical problems.

The problems include :

  • Detecting flood

  • Warning the people to evacuate

  • Locating the dangerous infrastructure

What is the Future of the Internet of Things in Disaster Management?

Now, everyone must be aware about the recent case happening in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Assam. Basically, if you start exploring the northeast and east side, the landslides and floods are prone in most of these areas. These are disaster prone areas and the use of IoT in such cases would be best.

Let me ask you! Isn’t Iot in Disaster Management revolutionizing?

As the future of the Internet of Things beholds continuous evolution, we can expect various significant advancements of disaster management. This technology holds tremendous potential for revolutionizing. The sensors and devices of the Internet of Things offer highly precise and straight data on potential and environmental hazards. By leveraging the use of technology and real-time data, you can make informed choices regarding evacuation planning, resource allocation and emergency response schemes.

We can say that the IoT devices are interconnected which provides a seamless communication. This connectivity will foster better coordination among government agencies and community organizations. The information shared will be streamlined allowing a more efficient and synchronized response to disasters.
Indeed these factors ultimately prove the necessity of IoT technology in Disaster Management.

In a Bottom Line

The future of IoT can be harnessed in a more promising and applicable manner. The future itself is bright. Witnessing the immersive growth of technologies, we expect to see even more innovative applications of Internet of Things in the area of disaster management. By using the IoT monitored sensors with the advanced AI-driven detectors, one can make better decisions and save lives.

Ever-wondered, How will IoT in Disaster management create a resilient community?

This is so possible by enabling the early detection, rapid response and efficient recovery of data from disasters. Nevertheless, with the continuous innovation and investment in the Internet of Things, you can navigate the various challenges of life like reducing damages, detecting earthquakes, saving lives, and building a more resilient society which has the capability of withstanding the impacts of future catastrophe.

Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things can detect patterns, enabling a more advanced and efficient response to all calamities. The seamless integration of AI analytics with Iot-generated information can enhance and empower emergencies with actionable insights. The synergy of both of these technologies holds a promising future for building more adaptive disaster management in future.

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